“We call it a put-up robbery, ladies,” said Blathers, turning to them, as if he compassioned their ignorance, but had a contempt for the doctor’s, “when the servants is in it.” “Nobody suspected them, in this case,” said Mrs. Maylie. “Wery likely not, ma’am,” replied Blathers, “but they might have been in it for all that.” “More likely on that wery account,” said Duff. “We find it was a town hand,” said Blathers, continuing his report; “for the style of work is first-rate.” “Wery pretty indeed it is,” remarked Duff, in an under tone. “There was two of ’em in it,” continued Blathers, “and they had a boy with ’em; that’s plain from the size of the window. That’s all to be said at present. We’ll see this lad that you’ve got up stairs at once, if you please.” “Perhaps they will take something to drink first, Mrs. Maylie?” said the doctor, his face brightening up as if some new thought had occurred to him. “Oh! to be sure!” exclaimed Rose, eagerly. “You shall have it immediately, if you will.” “Why, thank you, miss!” said Blathers, drawing his coat-sleeve across his mouth; “it’s dry work, this sort of duty. Anything that’s handy, miss; don’t put yourself out of the way on our accounts.” “What shall it be?” asked the doctor, following the young lady to the sideboard. “A little drop of spirits, master, if it’s all the same,” replied Blathers. “It’s a cold ride from London, ma’am; and I always find that spirits comes home warmer to the feelings.” This interesting communication was addressed to Mrs. Maylie, who received it very graciously. While it was being conveyed to her, the doctor slipped out of the room. “Ah!” said Mr. Blathers, not holding his wine-glass by the stem, but grasping the bottom between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand, and placing it in front of his chest; “I have seen a good many pieces of business like this, in my time, ladies.” “That crack down in the back lane at Edmonton, Blathers,” said Mr. Duff, assisting his colleague’s memory. “That was something in this way, warn’t it?” rejoined Mr. Blathers; “that was done by Conkey Chickweed, that was.” “You always gave that to him,” replied Duff. “It was the Family Pet, I tell you, and Conkey hadn’t any more to do with it than I had.” “Get out!” retorted Mr. Blathers; “I know better. Do you mind that time Conkey was robbed of his money, though? What a start that was! better than any novel-book I ever see!” “What was that?” inquired Rose, anxious to encourage any symptoms of goodhumour in the unwelcome visiters. “It was a robbery, miss, that hardly anybody would have been down upon,” said Blathers. “This here Conkey Chickweed——” “Conkey means Nosey, ma’am,” interposed Duff.